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About Sharon Toji
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
I have special expertise in the subject of accessibility codes and guidelines (ADA), and most specifically in the field of signage. If you have a question that is not about the ADA or about signs, I suggest you try the following excellent site: Naffa International BCDG (Building Code Discussion Group). The website address is http://bcodes.infopop.cc/eve/ You do have to register, but it's free. You will find discussions here on all kinds of Building Code Q & A topics. You go to the forum that sounds as if it's close to your topic, check out some of the posts and see if it sounds like a fit. Then pose your question. With luck, you may get some really good answers. You can email some of the experts individually by clicking on the headings of their posts. When you ask a question, of me, or of someone on the above site, tell them your state, and maybe your city if it's a large city. That is crucial for answering code questions. Sharon Toji

Experience
I am a voting delegate to the American National Standards Institute that writes accessiblity standards used by the International Building Code and are the basis for the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG). I am also a member of the Access Advisory Committee to the California State Building Standards Commission, among other positions.

Publications
Signs and the ADA (a manual I have written that is used across the country), and articles in many trade journals.

Education/Credentials
BA, Reed College Graduate work, University of Munich (Germany) and University of California, Irvine

   

You are here:  Experts > Industry > Construction Industry > Building Codes and Inspections

SubjectDate AskedExpert

CA Braille & Tactile Copy10/2/2008Sharon Toji
  Q: Is there a maximum distance between tactile copy and braille (dots)? I know the minimum is 3/8".
  A: In California, the building code says a minimum of 3/8 inch and a maximum of 1/2 inch. The intent is ...
California ADA compliant braille signage9/30/2008Sharon Toji
  Q: I have been told there is a braille 'dot' fabrication process specific to California requirements. ...
  A: Very few people make braille any more by the method you are describing, but you can actually make ...
California ADA compliant braille signage9/30/2008Sharon Toji
  Q: I have been told there is a braille 'dot' fabrication process specific to California requirements. ...
  A: No, that is not correct. The process you're speaking of, "raster braille," is not specific to ...
Residential Drywall - Mold Prevention Question9/25/2008Jacob Persky
  Q: This question is SURELY well below your expertise level, but I am just not sure who else to ask. I ...
  A: Fill the gap with great-stuff expandable foam-in-a-can. That will work great. If you need to ...
Residential Drywall - Mold Prevention Question9/24/2008Jacob Persky
  Q: This question is SURELY well below your expertise level, but I am just not sure who else to ask. I ...
  A: Your neighbor is correct. Drywall in direct contact with a slab-on-grade foundation will wick ...
Aespestos9/23/2008Sharon Toji
  Q: I live in a basement apt. Recently I have noticed a yellow stain along the wall. Which was followed ...
  A: I will start by telling you that I am not an expert on this topic. However, I doubt that this has ...
Commercial staircase9/22/2008Sharon Toji
  Q: what is the minimum width permitted between handrails in a commercial building. can you decress the ...
  A: I am looking at my copy which compares the ADA rules for stairs and the International Building Code. ...
Asbestos9/13/2008Sharon Toji
  Q: What would you do if you were in charge of an old school that contain what was thought to be white ...
  A: There are asbestos experts who can come out and tell you if this is asbestos and what to do. You ...
ADA Directional Wall Signs9/9/2008Sharon Toji
  Q: Unless there are new ADAAG considerations, please advise why directional wall signs do not have to ...
  A: There is no "loophole" in the law. The very few people who have no usable vision, and who can only ...
pennsylvania commercial stair code9/6/2008Sharon Toji
  Q: code for restaurnt and bars stairs and entrance ways
  A: I am going to refer you two places for an answer. First, if you check out the ADA Guidelines, you ...
is it mold???8/21/2008Jacob Persky
  Q: I have re caulked my bathtub several times, and continue to have a black mold like stuff that is not ...
  A: The mold will keep growing back through as you describe if you do not get rid of the existing mold ...
Apartment Bathroom/Mold Questions8/19/2008Jacob Persky
  Q: I recently found out that my apartment bathroom has no windows. If there are no windows, do ...
  A: Contrary to the way this website categorizes my profession, I am not a CODE specialist. If you ...
dead grass....underground storage tank?8/16/2008Jacob Persky
  Q: I rent a home, and since I have lived there (about 4 years), I have noticed that along the one side ...
  A: Could be attributed to several different things. Guesses that come to mind in order of most ...
Indoor Air Quality - condensate drainage8/15/2008Jacob Persky
  Q: I live on the first floor of a two story apartment building. We have a small indoor utility closet ...
  A: The drain setup sounds less than ideal if the water level must rise to 1/2" in order to meet the ...
Bathroom door access8/14/2008Sharon Toji
  Q: My daughter attended a wedding held in a building rented for weddings in WA state. While in the ...
  A: I'm going to go out on a limb and answer this one from an access point of view. I do not believe ...
California Braille Signage8/13/2008Sharon Toji
  Q: I am working on a multi-family project. If I have a storage room (that's located in the garage), ...
  A: You only need to identify a room with a raised character and braille sign IF you choose to identify ...
asbestos in my garage8/5/2008Jacob Persky
  Q: We moved into our house about a year ago. It was built in the early to mid 1950's. I discovered ...
  A: Shame on that abatement company for telling you to do the work yourself. That's not right. While the ...
Transite siding on a 1925 home in No CA8/4/2008Jacob Persky
  Q: I am looking to purchase a home from the 4 offsprings in thier 70/80's of the original owner in ...
  A: Asbestos removal is best left to professionals. There is considerable cost in equipment purchase ...
asbestos in my garage8/2/2008Jacob Persky
  Q: We moved into our house about a year ago. It was built in the early to mid 1950's. I discovered ...
  A: What you are describing sounds like transite asbestos, which is an asbestos-cement board. If this is ...
door threshold height7/24/2008Sharon Toji
  Q: I just had Home Depot install new exterior doors on my home. The thresholds are now 2-1/8" above the ...
  A: I can tell you what the ANSI standard is for buildings with public access. Obviously, private homes ...
Mechanical issues...7/21/2008Fred Weldin
  Q: Weldin, I'm buying a new home in Houston, TX. Before sheetrock was installed, I saw some air ducts ...
  A: Duke:You'll have to go to your builder (you might also try the local mechanical Inspector); the ...
Mechanical issues...7/17/2008Fred Weldin
  Q: Weldin, I'm buying a new home in Houston, TX. Before sheetrock was installed, I saw some air ducts ...
  A: Duke: Which came first, the duct or the wiring? I don't know of any Code requirement that would ...
Sand-like substance behind drywall6/29/2008Jacob Persky
  Q: We have a 1953 ranch home and just started remodeling our kitchen. When we tore out the old ...
  A: Your description sounds like vermiculite insulation. Do an image search on Yahoo for "Vermiculite" ...
Aespestos on heating pipes6/19/2008Jacob Persky
  Q: My friend is trying to sell her house. She has aespestos on the heating pipes in her basement. ...
  A: You should have a professional contractor do the work. A 6" split is big enough to release a lot of ...
transite pipe6/14/2008Sharon Toji
  Q: I'm a pipe layer who has recently been cutting and repairing 10" transit pipe containing asbestos. ...
  A: Our business is next door to an asbestos removal company and I talked with them recently about their ...
gas furnace in the garage6/11/2008Fred Weldin
  Q: I am about to by a new house and the home inspector I highered had some problems with the gas ...
  A: Tamara: There must be a tightly sealed return duct from the furnace to the return grille in the ...
Fuel gas line to the garage6/8/2008Fred Weldin
  Q: I'm planning to install a gas heater in the garage in the future. For now we are re-doing the back ...
  A: Michael: You're going to need a contractor at some point, so it might be good to get one involved ...
codes and inspection on tempered glass6/6/2008Sharon Toji
  Q: we were looking for something that gives us some codes or laws regarding tempered glass please help
  A: You need to visit either this website: http://bcodes.infopop.cc/eve/forums or you can go directly ...
followup email6/2/2008Fred Weldin
  Q: how many air ducts needed per room Question We have just replaced 1 unit last summer that serves ...
  A: Michelle: Still working on askweldin, spent some time today. Using Yahoo hosting/composing. It'll ...
Gas Hot Water - in Hall Closet - vent options6/2/2008Fred Weldin
  Q: We just purchased a 14 year old home and replaced the old gas hot water heater with a new Bradford ...
  A: Erin: It is a concern, but the REAL unsafe condition occurs when there's another gas appliance or ...
Ventilation of hot water heater closet5/30/2008Fred Weldin
  Q: Fred, I have a one story house on a slab where the 40 galllon gas hot water heater is in a closet. ...
  A: George: One opening into the attic is permitted. Free Area must be at least 14 sq. inches; if you ...
Gas Hot Water - in Hall Closet - vent options5/30/2008Fred Weldin
  Q: We just purchased a 14 year old home and replaced the old gas hot water heater with a new Bradford ...
  A: Erin: The openings must be within 12" of the floor and within 12" of the ceiling. Minimum size of ...
Mold in Under Construction Home5/20/2008Jacob Persky
  Q: I bought a new house in a new subdivision from a builder, it is still under construction. As I ...
  A: Sorry to hear about your unfortunate situation. It sounds as if you builder is either giving you the ...
gas furnace venting5/20/2008Fred Weldin
  Q: have an old gas furnace to replace in my home has single wall flue pipe can the new furnaces 80% be ...
  A: Bobby: Usually, see Installation Instructions for your make and model. I'm surprised you're even ...
piping from water heater5/14/2008Sharon Toji
  Q: I live in a 4 year old row home in Baltimore City, MD. During an inspection for the sale of our ...
  A: You should probably listen to the inspector, who undoubtedly knows the local code. It is most likely ...
Closet for hot water heater in garage5/13/2008Fred Weldin
  Q: I am installing a closet around my hot water heater in my garage. I am trying to find out the ...
  A: Tommy: No luck: The outdoor opening must be high either way (single opening or indoor/outdoor ...
Closet for hot water heater in garage5/13/2008Fred Weldin
  Q: I am installing a closet around my hot water heater in my garage. I am trying to find out the ...
  A: Tommy:One opening required (we're using the "One-permanent-opening method" under 2006 International ...
GAS HEAT VENTILATION4/25/2008Fred Weldin
  Q: I HAVE PROPANE HEAT IN MY RAISED RANCH WITH THE HEATER BEING IN THE CLOSET OF THE LOWER LEVEL. I ...
  A: Erik: There's no provision in the 2006 International Fuel Gas Code for louvered doors. You'll have ...
Closet for hot water heater in garage4/23/2008Fred Weldin
  Q: I am installing a closet around my hot water heater in my garage. I am trying to find out the ...
  A: Tommy: Send me a follow up. Is it a gas water heater? Oil? Electric? That makes a difference. If ...
Residential Gas Line4/10/2008Fred Weldin
  Q: Would a low pressure residential gas line be considered defective if a test gauge left on for a week ...
  A: Tim: I have no experience testing gas lines at 40X operating pressure, but I do know the huge ...

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Sharon TojiFred WeldinJacob Persky
   

     
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